Last of Platinum Plus dancers enter first-time offender program in prostitution case

The last three Platinum Plus dancers charged with prostitution following a sting last year at the Allentown strip club have all been accepted into a first-time offender program.

Kristine Arnold, 20, of Churchville, Pa.; Tawnia J. Brown, 24, of Ashland, Pa.; and Jennifer Beth Shonk, 35, of Easton, were admitted this morning into the program called accelerated rehabilitative disposition. ARD allows nonviolent,
first-time offenders to expunge their convictions if they complete the program and meet certain
criteria. All three women were free on $20,000 unsecured bail.

The trio were the last remaining defendants of the 11 club employees arrested and charged following the May 2013 sting. One of the dancers passed away before her case was resolved, but the other seven club employees were accepted into the ARD program.

Attorneys for the three women had been gearing up for trial and filed pretrial motions before today's hearing.

"Nobody looks forward to a trial," said attorney Gerald Stein, who represents Brown. Stein said Brown no longer works at the club.

Attorney Brian Collins, who represents Shonk, said entering the ARD program was a great result for the women.

"It would have been a tough case for both sides," Collins said. Shonk still works at the club, Collins said.

Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney Bethany Zampogna could not immediately be reached for comment. Prosecutors previously said the women were offered the same deal Victoria Schotter took in December -- pleading no contest and receiving a sentence of costs and
fines -- but they refused.

Arnold, Brown and Shonk all previously refused to waive their preliminary hearings, which led to a contentious, nearly three-hour hearing
in September. At that hearing Officer Dan Wentsler, with the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of
Liquor Control Enforcement, testified he was offered sex acts by Brown
and Schotter, and that he negotiated Schotter's price down to $250.

Cpl. Rick Goodling said he spoke with Shonk, who offered a sex act for
$1,000: $500 for the Champagne Room and $500 for the act. Goodling said
Arnold offered $1,100 for sex.